Shin takes two-stroke lead at Mizuno Classic

Share this: Email | Facebook | X

SHIMA, Japan (AP) - South Korea's Jiyai Shin shot a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead over American Stacy Lewis after the second round of the Mizuno Classic on Saturday.

Shin had six birdies in a bogey-free round at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club for a 36-hole total of 13-under 131 .

Shin, who is No. 1 in the LPGA rankings, won here in 2008 and put herself in position to win her second tournament of the year.

Lewis had the day's lowest round of 64 to finish two strokes back at 11 under.

Taiwan's Yani Tseng shot a 65 and was tied for third with Japan's Miki Saiki (67).

Shin, who held an overnight share of the lead with Japan's Yukari Baba, took the lead with a birdie on the par-5 16th hole and added another on the par-4 18th.

Lewis birdied four of the last six holes and looked set to take the lead before Shin's strong finish.

American Morgan Pressel shot a 69 to finish in fifth at 8 under.

Japanese star Ai Miyazato struggled for the second day in a row with a 79 that knocked her out of contention. Miyazato, who has five wins this season, came into the $1.2 tournament vying to become the first player from Japan to capture Player of the Year honors since Ayako Okamoto in 1987. She is second in the race, two points behind Tseng.